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Miss Universe's struggle with mental health

Miss Universe's struggle with mental health

Depression can impact anyone, even Miss Universe Australia 2017 Olivia Rogers, who spoke with Donna Demaio about her personal battle with mental illness and those suffering should be more willing to talk openly about it.

Inside the ABC's 'dream factory'

Behind the scenes: Miss Universe Australia

Meet some of the women vying for the crown at the Miss Universe Australia final being held in Melbourne on Friday night.

Their days have been spent changing from swimwear into ball gowns and back again, practising their "snakes" (the name of the on-stage parade), and having their personalities assessed by Miss Universe judges.

"It's about how well you speak, how you present yourself, your poise, your personality," says Victorian finalist Jessica Parish.

Then why are bikinis needed?

"It's more 'are you healthy?'" the 23-year-old says. "That's all it comes down to. So the best way to tell someone's health, and who they are underneath, is unfortunately in the swimwear. You can't tell in the dresses."

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While all finalists will appear in the Sofitel's ballroom on Friday night in their bikinis, for 21 of them it's just for show.

The top 10 will have already been decided, but the announcement is saved for after all the women have strutted their stuff for the cameras.

Four judges have been tasked with whittling down the contestants to the 10 finalists this week.

The most important part, they say, is the face-to-face interview in which the contestant is asked a question on "social issues".

One of the questions, selected randomly for the participant, included: "What brand would you be and why?" The judges say it's not just the content of the answer that counts, but the personality with which it's delivered.

Ten years after Jennifer Hawkins took out the global Miss Universe title, local interest in the competition is still running high.

About 7500 Australian women enter the contest every year, with the success of Hawkins and other Australian winners Jesinta Campbell, Rachel Finch and Laura Dundovic contributing to the event's popularity.

Competing for the third time this year is Melinda Kemp, 24, who is keen to start doing more than model, which she has done since she was 15.

"No one really cares about what you have to say as much as what you look like," she says.

"I think this is the perfect experience to show what Australians are, on an international platform, and become an ambassador for the country."

The platform she's referring to is Donald Trump's international Miss Universe contest, to be held in December in a yet-to-be-announced city.